Feed-water heater



Nav. 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet.' -1

Filed Sept. 1,2, 1924 JQ A. LE cAlN FEEDWATBR HEATERl gnou/tto@ om Nov. 16 1926.

J. A'. L E- cAlN FEED WATER HEATER 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept'. l2

Patented Nov. 16, 1926.

' UNITED s'rA'ri-z'sl Lacasse PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. LR CAm, oF MALDEN, IacIAs'SACIIUsRt'rTS,.` AsSIGNoR To WORTIIINGTON rUMr AND MACHINERY CORPORATION, oF NRW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or VIR- GINIA.

FEED-WATER HEATER.

rlhis invention relates to feed water heaters for locomotive use and especially to such a `system as Ais describedW and claimed in United States Letters Patent 1,350,322, pati ented August 24, 1920, b T. C. MrBride.

Theespecial object o the invention is to provide a simple, compa-ct and eicient heater, and further to provide an improved float control of the excess water especially l adapted to withstand the splashing and vibration attending such service.

For a full understanding of the invention a detailed description of constructions embodying all of the features `of the invention i in their preferred form will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings and the features forming the invention then specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings l Figure 1 'is a sectional elevation' of a com plete unit in its preferred form;

Figures 2, 3` 4, 5, 6, and 7 are sections on, respectively, lines 2 2, 3 3, 4 4, 5 5, 6 6 and 7 7 of Figure 1;

A Figure 8 is a section on lines 8 8 of Figurcs 1 and 2, and

Figure 9 is a sectional detail view of a modification.

Referring to the drawings, A is the heat exchange chamber, or heater proper, receiving steam from steam connection 2() and cold waterfrom one or more atomizingv spray nozzles 21 to which cold water is supplied by passage 22 formed in separable head 23 whichcovers chamber A. The wall of heat .exchange chamber .A is shaped to form a baiiie 24 which aids in distributing the steam and procures a better mingling of the (steam and cold water. The condensed steam andA heated water pass through the baie 24 directlyinto a fioat chamber B so that the iioat chamber B is immediately filled .to normal level on starting operation, and remains filled thereafter, which is. important for the proper control of Jche water -level in the heater 'and the delivery of excess Ywater. 'The heated water passes from iioat chamber B through cored passages 25 and 26 on opposite sides thereof to a storage chamber C formed about the lower end of the float chamber B. The above is the operation with the plugs closing the holes in the side wallof the float chamber. The construction may also be used with these holes open and the normal level Vof the water and discharge mined by the position of these' holes, the float being formed and weighted according to' the method of operation.

In order to discharge any air collecting in the heater and prevent its' becoming air bound, Iv provide an air removal passage 27 extending upward from float chamber B and formed between the baiie'24 and the outer wall of the heater, as clearly shown in Figure 2. The upper end of the passage 27 f is closed and air is discharged therefrom in7 any suitable manner., as through pipe 28 secured to the bottom Of storage chamber C and extending upward through cored passage 26 into the passage 27 preferably well above any possible water level in the heater. At one side of the chambers A, B, and C` is located the cold water supply and air chamber D which is connected by passage 29 to passage 22 for delivery of cold water to the and operated by a single direct acting steamv engine G of common type supported on a shelf 30, the shelf 30 and the cold water sup'- ply pump E being preferably cast integrally with the heater casting and the hot water feed 'pump F forming aseparate casting secured theretoto form therewith a single unit which is conveniently attached to and supported from the sideof the locomotive boiler H by a bracket 31 secured to the heater casting. The'pumps E and F are shown as double acting pumps of a common type, having their pistons e, f carried by the rod 32 actuated by the steam piston g. Cold water is supplied to the suction chamber 33 of the cold water supply pump E through port 34 and is drawn by the pump plun er e through suction valves 35,- 36 whc are separated by a partition 37 providing two pulsation 'passages 38, 39- conof excess water deternecting respectively with theV upper and Y charge valves 40 through which the cold A "boiler,

. chamber B, preferably to ono . float to guide and steady ythe interior of the ho cessible for ad'ustment, cleaning an water passes to discharge chamber 41 connected by passage 42 to cold water supply chamber D. yThe yhot water feed pump F differs only in that its suction chamber 43- is extended around the pump cylinder for connection by passage 44 to the storage tank C and the hot feed water discharged thereby passes from discharge chamber 45 through connection 46 to the locomotive The water level in the heater and the delivery of the excess water is controlledvby a oat which is constructed and arranged to withstand the vibration and splashing in cident,v to locomotive use. In accordance with my invention I provide a closed float 1, preferably tubular in shape and rather elon gated, formed by annular plates 2 and 3 secured together at their upper and llciwer ends, and with a suitable'valve carried t ereiiiiier plate 2 beyond the lower end ofth float 1 to form a sleeve valve- 4. A rigi guide rod or stem. 5 passes through the n bular float 1 and is provilded witlidgvighe engaging the upper and ovi;J eoat in its movements. In order to protect the float 1 to a the descending water and reduce ifiiiiilmum the splashing of this water, hood 7 is secured by nut 8 to the upper en of the stem 5 an the upper endl of the ioat 1 within thel float a point well below the'normal level of the water, and with.

its wall in `lfliose proxim'ity t ham er soas o glzditziagted annular nozzle vdirecting thc descending heated water along the'walfll ot the loatchamber B andforan lwpx -t' is esa is e 1. Commumca lon od 7 and the heat exchange chamber Aby one oihmor1 ports 58 l'zation of ressure erei l fOIIiiqltlilelpreferredp construction shown in Figures 1-7-8 inclusive, the excess Water is returned directly to -one or the pulsatioi passages of the cold water supply pump through one or more especial suction valves, preferably so arranged asto be readily acd re For thispurpose an excess flow coniidlrsvalve chamber 9 is secured below the oat chamber B and connects therewith through a suitable opening 1Q in the bottom thereo'i. A partition 11 divides ber 9 into a valve chamber 12 and an ex'cls low passage 13 connected by a port 14. e lower end of the stem 5 ishollow providing avpassage 15 open at its lowerl end to the port 14 and connected by ports V16 with which mayv be formed by extending the d extends downward over.`

to the wall 0form therewith flanged to seat against the port 14 to which' it is securely held by a-tie rod 17 secured at its upper end to the stom 5 and having its lower end extending through the bottom of chamber 9 and secured by a nut 18. Passage 13 connects with a passage 19 extending across the bottoni of the heater and cold water pump casting and connecting with a port 47 registering with a passage 48 `in a removable cover plate JKfsecured to the side of the cold water pump E by bolts 49. Passage 48 isv extended inwardly within a projection 50, extending within the pulsation passage 380i' the cold water 'pump E,- the upper wall of the projection 50 being portedto receive one or more excess return fiow check valves 51.

In operation, upon an excess of water in the heater, the upward movement of. the

oat 1 raises'sleeve valve 4uncoveriiig ports 16 in the stem 5 and allowing the excess water rfi pass through passages 15, 13,19, i

port 47 and passage 48, whence itis drawn through excess iiow check valve 51.to pulsa tion passage 38 by the ldownward vmovement of the cold water supply pump plunger e. This operation continues until the water level has been reduced 'suiiiciently to allow the descent oi' iioat 1 to lower the valve 4 suiiciently" to close ports 16 whereupon the normal operationof the heater 'is resumed.`

The raising and loweringmovements of the float 1 are preferably -cushioned respectively by a spring pressed collar 52,A and a spring 53. v y

In the modification shown iii Figure 9, the

opening 10 in the bottom of the float chamber B is closed by a suitable plug 54 provided with a passage 55 connected to the iiiterior of the float tank B by ports 56, -the up- .per end of the plug 54l being closed-by the stem 5'which is secured thereto by being l threaded therein.I \A pipe 57, suitably secured tod the plug 54,- conducts the excess water directly from the oat chamber B to the suction ofthe cold 'water supply pump E and preferably to a point lower than the lowest possible waterv level in the' locomotive tender so as to provide a water 'seal thereon. It will be seen that the heavyl closed float having only a smally portion thereof projecting above the water level, together with its i'irm guiding at both ends by the rigid guide stem and its protection from fall-v ing andA splashing water by the hood, provides a' ioat control especially 1 adapted to meet the requirements of locomotive use.

A further advantage of 'thisl control which is especiallytimportant, resides in the'fact that when there is no water in the heater,

whether due to a suddenxreduction in the heater pressure resulting-in the flashing of the water or from any othercause, the excess water passage connecting with the suc- 1,6oe,aso

tion of the cold water supply pump is so closed that steam cannot possibly pass theres to and destroy its vacuum and cause it to pound.

It will be understood thatl the invention is not to be limited to the specific arrangements' shown as these may be modified within the invention defined by the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a feed water heating apparatus, the combination with means for delivering water to and from the heater, of a float` chamber, a closedvelongated annular float in said chamber, a rigidly mounted guide stem extending through the float, a hood extended downwardly within the float chamber about the upper end of the oat, andl valve means operated by the fioat to control the water level i-n the heater.

2. In a feed water heating apparatus, the combination with `means for delivering water to and from the heater, 'of a float chamber, a closed oat in said chamber, rigid means for guiding said float, a hood extended downwardly within the float cham-A ber about the upper endof the float and forming a narrow water passage between it4 and the chamber wall, and valve means op-l erated by the ioat to control the water level in the heater.

3. In a feed water heating apparatus, the combination with means for delivering water to and from the heater, of a float chamber, a closed float `in said' chamber, rigid means for guiding said oat, a hood valve carried by said iioat for controlling ythe inlet to said connection.

elongated annular float in said chamber,l a@

rigid guide stem extending through the fioat, a hood securedto the upper end of the guide stem and extended downwardly about the float below the normal water level in the float' chamber, one 6r more ports in the'hood connecting the space within lthe upper end of the hood with the iio'at chamber, means for cushioning the movements of the float, a connectionl for delivering excess water due to steam` condensationfrom the heater, and a sleeve valve carried by the float for controlling the'linlet to said connection. -4

7. In a feed water heating apparatus, the combination with supply and feed water pumps delivering iixed quantities of water to and-from the heater, of an excess watel` passage from the heater direct to the supply pump, a non-return valve or valves controlling the inlet of said excess water tothe pulsation passage of the supply pump separately from the supply water, and means removably secured to the supply pump for supportin said valve within the pulsation passage o the supply pump.' 8. In a feed water heating apparatus, the

pumps delivering fixed quantities ofwater over said float and extended downwardly 130 and from the heater, of an excessd water water level therein, means for cushioning the movement of the float, and valve means operated by the float to control the water' level in the heater. v

4. In a feed water heating apparatus, the' combination with means for deliveringr water to and from the heater, 'of a float chamber, a closed float in .said chamber, rigid means for guiding^ the float, a passage for delivering excess waterfrom the heater, and valve means operated by the float to control said passage and maintain said passage closed against the escape'of steam when the float is lowered.

5. In a feed water heating apparatus, the combination with supply and feed pumpsdelivering fixed quantities of water to and from the heater, of a `iioat chamber, a closed annular float in `said chamber,` a rigid v guide stem extending through the `float, a hood carried by the upper end of theA guide stem and extended downwardly about the fioat below the normal water level in the float chamber, one or more ports in the hood ,within the float chamber below the normal )passage from the heater direct to the supply `combination with supply and feed water i pump, a removable cover lplate on the supply pump having a passage registering with saidl excess water passage and extended within the pulsation' passage of the supply pump to deliyer the excess water separately from the supply water, and a non-return flow valve or valves carried by the removable -cover`plate and controlling the inlet of said plypump all cast integrally, a lower section suspended from the upper section and com- /prising a hot water-feed' pump, and means forA attachment of the upper'section to a locomotive boiler for 'support' of the unit by the upper section. y

10. A feed water heater unit having an upper section Icomprising a heat exchange chamber,'a oat chamber forming a continuation of the heat exchange chamber, a storage chambersurrounding the lower end of the float chamber, a combined cold water l supply andair chamber at one side of the heat exchange and float chambers and extended downwardly over the storage chamn ber, and a cold water supply pump all cast integrally, a lower section suspended from the upper section and comprising a hot water feed pump, a suction chamber surrounding the lower end of the feed pump, anda passage connecting the suction chamber with the storage chamber cast integrally, and means for attachment of the upper scction to a locomotive boiler for support of the unit by the upper section.

11. A feed water heater unit having an upper section comprising a heat exchange chamber` a float chamber forming a continuation of the heat exchange chamber, a storage chamber formed about the lower end of the float chamber, and a cold water supply pump all rigidly connected, a y lower section suspended 'from the upper. Section and comprising a hot water feed pump, and

means for attachment of the upper sectionv y integrally, a lower section comprising a hot Water feed pump, a suction chamber surrounding the lower end of the feed pump, and a passage connecting the suction chamber with the storage chamber cast integrally, and means for attachment of the upper setion to a locomotive boiler-for support of the unit bythe upper section.

,13. In a feed water heating apparatus, the combination with supply and feed pumps delivering fixed quantities of water to and from the heater, of a float chamber, a closed vchamber below the normal vwater level therei float in said chamber, a hood over said oat and extendeddownwardly Within the float in, one or more ports in the hood connecting the space within the upper end of the hood with' the heater chamber, and valvemeans operated byrthe float to control the Water level in the heater.

letA feed Water heater unit having an upper section comprising a heat exchange chamber, a float chamber, a hot Water storage chamber, a cold water supplyand air chamber, and a col'd water supply pump all rigidly connected, a lower section suspended from the upper section and comprising 'a lhot water feed pump, and means for attachment of the upper section to a locomo tive boiler forgsupportiof the unit by the upper section. -i

15. In a feed water heating apparatus, the combination with supply pump E and feed water pump F delivering` water to and from the heater, of excess water passage 19 from the heater direct to supply pump E, removable cover plate K on supply pump E having passage 48 registering with excess Water passage 19 and extended within pulsation passagev 38 of supply pump E to deliverthe excess water separately from the supply water, and non-return flow valve or valves `51 canried by removable cover plate K and controlling the inlet of said excess waterto the pulsation passage 38 o f supply pump E.

16. In a feed water heatmg apparatus, the combination with supply and feed wa-ter pumps delivering fixed quantities of waterv to and from the heater, of a heat exchange chamber, iioat' chamber B forming'a continuation of the heat exchange chamber, excess float control valve chamber 9 separate from and removably secured at the bottom of float chamber B and passage 19 connecting the excess float control valve chamber 9 with the cold water supply pump.

In testimonywhereof, I- have hereunto set 

